The Brownlee-Metu connection goes back to Lawndale High, where Brownlee was coach and Metu the rising star.

While Metu once was projected as a first-round pick, do not feel sorry for him because of his slide. Not when he fell into the arms of the San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich, the most celebrated coach in the league.

“They are known for developing players,” Brownlee said. “It is the best place for him.”

It’s the best place for him because he does not have to deal with off-the-charts expectations of Deandre Ayton at No. 1 or the “best player in the draft” (even though not No. 1) tag placed on No. 3 Luka Doncic.

He does not have to deal with the pressure on Moe Wagner, selected 25th by the Lakers with expectations he’ll duplicate the excellent rookie performance Kyle Kuzma turned in last season after the Lakers took him at 27.

San Antonio is the best place for Metu because the Spurs have a teaching culture, perfect for a raw 6-foot-10 or 6-11, depending on who is doing the measuring, 21-year-old with a high ceiling.

It’s the best place for him because Popovich knows how to apply pressure on young players and be patient at the same time. There is no better example of the success of his approach than the manner in which Kawhi Leonard went from raw project to major star with the Spurs.

Granted, the Leonard-Popovich relationship appears to have soured. However, until demonstrated otherwise, this goes down as Leonard having loose wires, not the other way around.

There is a strong possibility Metu will move back and forth between the Spurs and the G League during his learning process.

Do not shudder at mention of the G League. The up-and-down role was how Amir Johnson got started with the Detroit Pistons. He says it was the perfect way to get his feet wet as a young-with-so-much-to-learn player. The former Westchester High star now has logged 13 years in the NBA.

Also, do not shudder because Metu left USC after three years. He already has his degree.

“He has a backup,” Brownlee said. “He has his network of USC friends. He does not have to depend just on basketball. That’s the key to going to school.”

This no doubt also is a key for Popovich. He appreciates players who think.

What Metu brings immediately is athleticism. He can run the court. He can block shots. He can slide side-to-side and bend his knees, not all that common with bigs, which means he can defend the pick-and-roll.

Think Clint Capela, the Houston center who was oh-so-raw when he arrived and now plays a major role for the Rockets.

But what about the fact the NBA has become fixated on the 3-point shot? Metu has never been accused of being a Kevin Durant-level shooter.

He shot one 3-pointer as a USC freshman and missed. He doubled his volume as a sophomore, going 1-for-2. He virtually exploded as a junior, shooting 40 from beyond the 3-point line. He made 12 for a piddling 30.0 percent.

“He’s still developing,” Brownlee said. “He’ll become a better shooter.”

Note that Wagner made 63 of 160 last season. That’s 39.4 percent.

Check out Metu’s foul shooting. After struggling at 51.3 percent as a college freshman, he shot 74.1 as a sophomore and 73.0 as a junior.

“It was just a small technical thing, something Andy Enfield worked on with him,” Brownlee said.

Enfield, the USC coach, now hands Metu off to Chip Engelland, San Antonio’s shooting coach, who is recognized as one of the best in the business.

Little things become big at times like this.

“Chimezie makes the pass that leads to the assist,” Brownlee said. “You’re not going to see that at a workout.”

Then there is the Popovich-Jason Hart connection. Popovich knows Hart — the USC assistant played at Westchester High, Inglewood High AND with the Spurs — likes him and trusts his knowledge of the game.

San Antonio would not have drafted Metu without a thumbs-up from Hart.

Clearing out the mini-notebook

Quoting: Mike Scioscia’s mantra when it comes to bringing Shohei Ohtani back from the disabled list: “I’m not going to put a timetable on anything. When he’s ready, he’s ready.” …

Decision time: Alex Akingbula no longer is a UCLA football player because the former Narbonne High star tackle did not fit into new Bruin coach Chip Kelly’s plans as a guard. His release allows him to transfer to and play for another Pac-12 school, which is not always the case in similar situations.

Bottom line: NCAA rules force Akingbula, who missed 2016 (redshirt) and 2017 (knee injury), to sit out a year before playing at another D1 school. He would be wise to suck it up, play at Harbor College or El Camino College next season and then transfer to the Power Five Conference team of his choice.